the goan I network
MARGAO
Has the countdown begun in the Margao Municipal Council for a change in political guard, with Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai resuming office on Thursday after taking a break on health grounds and Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai returning to the State after a fortnight tour of Europe.
This question has begun to do the rounds in the corridors of the civic body after Babita made her presence in the civic body after a long break on health grounds. The question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that Babita had literally undertaken to step down from office to pave way for her successor to take over the reigns of office on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).
She, however, had made it clear that she would step down only as per the wishes of the majority of the councillors and only after presenting the audit of her work in the civic body since the day she took over the reigns of office in November 2015.
That she has resumed her duties and is expected to present her balance sheet of her tenure as chairperson, questions have started doing the rounds in the civic body whether she would quit
only on October 2 or prior to Gandhi Jayanti as per her announcement.
Though the Goa Forward, which enjoys the support of around 11 members in the 25-member body is believed to have zeroed in on first time councillor Pooja Naik to succeed Babita, the leadership issue is expected to be resolved by Sardesai since he has returned home after visiting UK and Portugal.
In fact, Sardesai will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Goa Forward will require the support of minimum two councillors to get Pooja elected on the coveted seat. Whether he would approach Leader of the Opposition, Digambar Kamat for support remains to be seen, since the Margao MLA enjoys the support of around six councillors in the civic body.
As reported earlier, Babita had taken over the reigns of the MMC around three years and nine months ago in November, 2015 after the Fatorda Forward, a panel floated by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai swept the Municipal polls by winning all 11 seats at stake in the Fatorda area of the civic body.
